USGA Adds Senior Women's Open to 2018 Schedule

LPGA legend Nancy Lopez plays a shot during the third round of the LPGA Founders Cup in 2012.

Scott Halleran / Getty Images

NEW YORK (AP) The USGA will conduct a U.S. Senior Women's Open starting in 2018.

USGA executive director Mike Davis said Saturday that the increasing number of top players who are getting closer to 50 made it practical to add a national championship for senior women.

The USGA already has a U.S. Senior Open that men have participated in since 1980.

For years, the likes of Nancy Lopez, Pat Bradley and Amy Alcott didn't have a USGA championship to play as professionals. The only USGA event for 50-and-older women was the U.S. Senior Women's Amateur.

This makes 14 national championships conducted by the USGA.

Still to be determined for the U.S. Senior Women's Open is where it will be played in 2018 and the size of the field.